Live the Army NCO Creed Every Day: How Reflection Forged the Two R.O.A.D.S. Leadership Framework

Marcus D. Taylor, MBA
Jul 12
4 min read

By Marcus “MD” Taylor | Published in the NCO Journal on July 11, 2025

Introduction: More Than a Recitation

Four years ago, while serving as a Senior Instructor at Fort Gregg-Adams under the 94th Training Division, I led Common Core training for senior NCOs in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps. Our course supported a wide range of specialties: petroleum specialists, automated logistics, culinary professionals, mortuary affairs, parachute riggers, and more.

Each class day began and resumed after lunch with one tradition—reciting the Army NCO Creed.

It was said with passion, volume, and vigor. But after a few days, I realized something: they were reciting, not reflecting. The words flowed easily, but their weight often went unnoticed. That disconnect inspired me to dig deeper—not only as an instructor but as a mentor, leader, and Soldier committed to legacy leadership.

The Creed in Action (or the Lack Thereof)

In the field and the classroom, you can tell a lot about a leader by what they tolerate and what they reinforce. Despite the structure and discipline of our courses, I began noticing behaviors that ran counter to the values of the Creed:

Soldiers standing with hands in pockets
Smoking in unauthorized areas
Leaning on walls in uniform
Speaking disrespectfully
Dismissing standards as optional

Rather than chastise, I used the Army NCO Creed as a tool of redirection.

“No one is more professional than I.” “I will not use my grade or position for pleasure, profit, or personal safety.” “I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget.”

Once they heard those lines, the course corrected itself. They knew. And that was the point—not to shame or discipline, but to reconnect them with the standard they swore to uphold.

The Army NCO Creed is more than tradition. It is guidance, grounding, and a mirror. When understood, it becomes a personal code—not just a group chant.

From Tradition to Transformation: The Birth of Two R.O.A.D.S.

I soon realized that if Soldiers were going to live the Creed, they needed more than repetition. They needed reflection. That inspired me to create the Two R.O.A.D.S. Leadership Framework, a method built to help NCOs internalize and live the Creed beyond its recitation.

Two R.O.A.D.S. Explained

The name stands for two paths—external accountability and internal reflection—both of which define the daily leadership journey of a Non-Commissioned Officer.

🔴 First R.O.A.D.S. – External Leadership Execution

Letter	Meaning	Focus Area
R	Reminders	Use the Creed in real-time corrections
O	Objectives	Lead with purpose and mission alignment
A	Accountability	Own your actions and reinforce standards
D	Duty	Always act in line with Army values
S	Standards	Uphold excellence—never compromise

This first set addresses what we do and how we lead others. It’s outward. It’s observable. It’s performance and posture.

🟠 Second R.O.A.D.S. – Internal Reflection and Alignment

Letter	Meaning	Focus Area
R	Recall	What have I promised to be?
O	Outcome	What results am I producing as a leader?
A	Answerable	Who do I answer to—beyond the chain of command?
D	Deeds	What are my actions saying about me?
S	Scope	How far does my leadership truly reach?

This second path is personal and reflective. It challenges us to evaluate not just what we lead, but who we are while leading.

Why This Matters

The Army NCO Creed is not just a historical document—it’s a living standard. But many Soldiers, especially in leadership development stages, recite it with pride without ever being taught to live it with purpose.

That’s where the Two R.O.A.D.S. method comes in: it transforms ritual into reason, pride into practice, and authority into authentic leadership.

Non-Commissioned Officers are not lawmakers, but we are the executors of policy, the trainers of troops, and the bearers of institutional memory. Whether you’re overseeing a dining facility, a combat patrol, a fuel point, or a combat logistics patrol—how you model the Creed sets the tone for the entire formation.

A Personal Milestone: From the Field to the Journal

Wooden "NCO" sign on a table with three lit candles in red, white, and blue glass holders. Soft, warm lighting creates a cozy ambiance. — Candles burn behind an NCO plaque at Contingency Operating Site Marez, Iraq. The candles represent valor, purity, and honor, values instilled in NCOs as they serve. The Reminders, Objectives, Accountability, Duty, and Standards followed by Recall, Outcome, Answerable,Deeds, and Scope (2-R.O.A.D.S.) framework offers a practical method for NCOs to internalize and apply the principles of the NCO Creed through focused action and reflective leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terence Ewings)

On July 11, 2025, my article “Live the Army NCO Creed Every Day: The Two R.O.A.D.S. Method Shows the Way” was published in the NCO Journal, part of Army University Press. It was more than a writing milestone—it was a spiritual and professional thank you to the Corps that shaped me.

Though I’ve retired from military service, I haven’t retired from purpose. I plan to continue contributing to the development of Soldiers and leaders through writing, training, and speaking engagements.

Final Thoughts: For NCOs, Future Leaders, and Reflective Professionals

If you're reading this, whether you're a young Soldier, a senior leader, or even a civilian professional—understand this:

Leadership is not about repeating what others say. It's about living what you say you believe.
Standards are not just for correction—they're for connection.
Your creed—whatever it is—should guide your conduct, not just your chants.